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I agree with Larry's comments on masking. Sometimes it can really help an image and other times it can screw it up. It is just a tool. The improved edge effects are because you are printing on a higher contrast paper than without the mask, so you get more local contrast and things appear sharper. Once I learned the technique, I also read that Howard Bond used it on almost all of his negatives so I did too. I found that on images that had the contrast under control, it was not worth the time or effort. On images with large dark areas it is great for bringing out detail. Better than just printing on a lower contrast paper. It is not a cure all and if you are not a good printer to begin with this won't help. If you are a good printer, this is just one more tool in print making. Have fun.
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